Discover Fascinating Guatemala Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Guatemala.
Guatemala
Background
ποΈ Guatemala has a rich history! The Maya civilization thrived here during the first millennium A.D. π After being under Spanish rule for almost 300 years, Guatemala declared its independence in 1821. π₯³
In the latter half of the 20th century, the country faced many changes, including different types of government and a long 36-year guerrilla war, which finally came to a close in 1996. π This journey shaped Guatemala into the vibrant nation it is today!
Years of Spanish Colony
300
Year of Independence
1821
Years of Guerrilla War
36
Year Guerrilla War Ended
1996
Exports - commodities
π Guatemala is well-known for its rich exports, which play a big role in its economy! The main commodities exported in 2022 include:
- Garments π
- Coffee β
- Bananas π
- Palm Oil π₯₯
- Raw Sugar π¬
These items not only showcase the country's vibrant agricultural and manufacturing sectors but also contribute significantly to its trade balance. Let's dive into some exciting statistics about these exports!
Key Export Commodities
Garments, Coffee, Bananas, Palm Oil, Raw Sugar
Exports - partners
In 2022, Guatemala had some interesting trading partners! π’π° The biggest one was the United States, making up a huge 32% of all exports! Next up was El Salvador with a solid 12%, followed by Honduras at 10%. Coming in fourth was Nicaragua with 6%, and finally, Mexico contributed 4% to the mix. These numbers show how important these countries are for Guatemala's economy! π¬πΉπ
Percentage of Exports to the US
32%
Percentage of Exports to El Salvador
12%
Percentage of Exports to Honduras
10%
Percentage of Exports to Nicaragua
6%
Percentage of Exports to Mexico
4%
Exports Partners for Guatemala (2022)
Capital
π Welcome to Guatemala City! This vibrant capital is the heart of Guatemala, filled with culture, history, and bustling activity. Visitors can explore stunning architecture, taste delicious local food, and learn about the rich Mayan heritage. With its lively streets and friendly people, Guatemala City is a place full of adventure! π¬πΉ
Imports - commodities
π Guatemala's Imports: Here's What They Bring In! π¬πΉ
In 2022, Guatemala was busy importing some essential goodies to keep their economy buzzing! Here's a list of the top commodities they brought in:
- Refined Petroleum ππ¨
- Video Displays πΊ
- Paper π
- Plastic Products π§΄
- Cars π
These imports are crucial for businesses and daily life in Guatemala, helping fuel growth and keep everyone connected! πβ¨
Climate
π΄ Guatemala has a tropical climate, which means it's usually warm and sunny! π The lowland areas are hot and humid, making it feel a bit steamy, while the highlands are cooler and more comfortable. It's like having different weather zones all in one beautiful country! π
Executive branch
Executive Branch of Guatemala π¬πΉ
In Guatemala, the power of the Executive branch is held by the President. Currently, that President is Bernardo ArΓ©valo de LeΓ³n, who took office on January 15, 2024. π Not only is he the chief of state, but he also serves as the head of government. This means he plays a vital role in leading the country's government and making important decisions for the future of Guatemala.
With a new leader at the helm, many people are curious about what changes he'll bring! π§
Current President
Bernardo ArΓ©valo de LeΓ³n
Inauguration Date
January 15, 2024
Legislative branch
Guatemala has a unicameral Congress of the Republic with ποΈ 160 seats! This means all the lawmakers sit together in one big room, making decisions that affect the whole country. With so many representatives, there is a lot of opportunity for discussion and debate. Did you know that unicameral systems can sometimes lead to quicker decision-making? Thatβs pretty interesting! π
Total Seats in Congress
160
Natural resources
Guatemala is rich in natural resources! π Here are some of the amazing treasures found in this vibrant country:
- Petroleum: A vital energy source that fuels transportation and industry.
- Nickel: Used in making stainless steel and batteries. πͺ
- Rare Woods: These beautiful trees are not only valuable but also crucial for the countryβs biodiversity. π³
- Fish: A vital part of both the diet and economy!
- Chicle: Did you know that this natural gum is sourced from the sap of certain trees? Yum! π
- Hydropower: With its rivers and lakes, Guatemala harnesses water to generate energy. β‘
These resources play an essential role in making Guatemala the vibrant and beautiful place it is today! π
Economic overview
Guatemala, a developing economy in Central America, has been enjoying steady economic growth π, much of it driven by remittances from friends and family living abroad. However, this growth isnβt without its challenges!
The country faces high levels of poverty and income inequality π, making it tough for many to get by. Limited government services and a shortage of good jobs only add to the struggle. On top of that, frequent natural disasters πͺοΈ can really hurt communities, pushing many people to leave the country in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
This mix of growth and challenges makes Guatemala's economic situation both interesting and complex! π
Economic Growth Influencers
Remittances play a key role in driving the economy.
Social Challenges
High poverty and income inequality present significant obstacles.
Government Services
Limited services hinder human development efforts.
Natural Disasters Impact
Frequent disasters contribute to emigration.
Government type
Guatemala is a vibrant presidential republic! π This means that the president is both the head of state and the head of government, playing a key role in running the country. π¬πΉ With a system where the president has significant powers, the citizens get to vote to choose their leader, making their voice heard in this democratic republic! π£
Ethnic groups
In Guatemala, the ethnic landscape is quite colorful! π Here's a breakdown of the major ethnic groups according to the latest estimates from 2018:
- Mestizo (mixed Indigenous-Spanish), also known as Ladino, makes up the largest group at 56%.
- The Maya people are just behind at 41.7%, showcasing their rich culture and heritage.
- There are also smaller groups, like the Xinca (Indigenous, non-Maya) at 1.8%.
- The population with African descent is about 0.2%, while the Garifuna (a mix of West and Central African, Island Carib, and Arawak) stands at 0.1%.
- Lastly, individuals of foreign descent account for 0.2% of the population.
This diversity makes Guatemala unique and reflects its complex history! πβ¨
Percentage of Mestizo population
56%
Percentage of Maya population
41.7%
Percentage of Xinca population
1.8%
Percentage of African descent population
0.2%
Percentage of Garifuna population
0.1%
Percentage of foreign population
0.2%
Ethnic Groups in Guatemala (2018)
Religions
In Guatemala, the religious landscape is quite diverse and colorful! π Hereβs a breakdown of the major religions practiced in the country as of 2023:
- Evangelical: 45.7% π
- Roman Catholic: 42.4% βͺ
- None: 11% π«
- Unspecified: 0.9% β
You can see a mix of faiths here, with Evangelicals taking the lead, followed closely by Roman Catholics. It really shows the variety in what people believe!
Total Percentage of Religions
100%
Percentage of Evangelicals
45.7%
Percentage of Roman Catholics
42.4%
Percentage of Non-religious
11%
Percentage Unspecified
0.9%
Religious Distribution in Guatemala (2023)
Languages
In Guatemala, the most widely spoken language is Spanish, which is the official language and is spoken by 69.9% of the population! π¬πΉβ¨ The diverse cultural heritage of Guatemala is reflected in its many Maya languages, which are spoken by 29.7% of the people. This rich linguistic tapestry includes languages such as Q'eqchi', K'iche', Mam, Kaqchikel, Q'anjob'al, and Poqomchi'. Let's break it down:
- Spanish (official): 69.9% π£
- Maya languages: 29.7% π£
- Q'eqchi': 8.3% π
- K'iche': 7.8% π
- Mam: 4.4% π
- Kaqchikel: 3% π
- Q'anjob'al: 1.2% π
- Poqomchi': 1% π
- Other Maya languages: 4% π
- Other languages: 0.4% (including Xinca and Garifuna) π
This shows just how vibrant and varied the languages of Guatemala really are!
Percentage of Spanish speakers
69.9%
Percentage of Maya language speakers
29.7%
Percentage of other language speakers
0.4%
Languages Spoken in Guatemala
Imports - partners
π Guatemala's Import Partners π
In 2022, Guatemala imported a variety of goods from different countries. The biggest importer? The United States! πΊπΈ They accounted for a whopping 34% of all imports. Hereβs how it stacks up against other countries:
- China: 18% π¦
- Mexico: 9% π²π½
- El Salvador: 4% πΈπ»
- Costa Rica: 3% π¨π·
Imagine all the different products that come into Guatemala from these places! Let's take a closer look at how much each country contributes to Guatemala's imports.
Total Import Percentage (Top 5 Partners)
68%
Guatemala's Import Partners Distribution (2022)
Population
π Guatemala's Population π
Guatemala is home to an impressive 18,255,216 people! Thatβs a lot of vibrant communities and cultures thriving under the sun! βοΈ Let's celebrate the diverse population that makes Guatemala unique.
Imagine all the stories, traditions, and incredible places waiting to be explored! ποΈ
Total Population
18,255,216
Area
Guatemala is home to a total area of 108,889 square kilometers! π Let's break it down:
- Land area: 107,159 sq km ποΈ
- Water area: 1,730 sq km π
That means the country has a large expanse of land where people live, farm, and enjoy nature.
Total Area
108889 sq km
Land Area
107159 sq km
Water Area
1730 sq km
Distribution of Area in Guatemala
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
π Guatemala's Real GDP Over the Years!
Let's take a look at how Guatemala's economy is growing! π In recent years, the Real GDP (purchasing power parity) has been steadily increasing:
- In 2021, it was a healthy $207.138 billion.
- By 2022, it climbed up to $215.668 billion. π
- And in 2023, it reached an impressive $223.183 billion! π°
This shows a positive trend in the economy. π
Keep reading to learn more about these numbers!
Real GDP in 2021
$207.138 billion
Real GDP in 2022
$215.668 billion
Real GDP in 2023
$223.183 billion
Guatemala's Real GDP Growth (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
π Let's take a look at Guatemala's Real GDP per capita over the last few years! This number tells us how much money, on average, each person in the country has when we consider the total economic output.
Here are the estimates:
- 2021: $12,100
- 2022: $12,400
- 2023: $12,700
As we see, the GDP per capita has been steadily increasing each year! π
GDP Growth from 2021 to 2023
$600
GDP Growth from 2022 to 2023
$300
Real GDP per capita in Guatemala (2021-2023)
Imports
π Guatemala's imports have shown interesting changes over the past few years! Hereβs a quick look at the import data in billions of dollars:
- 2021: $27.343 billion
- 2022: $33.939 billion
- 2023: $33.041 billion
It's great to see how the numbers have been growing. The imports surged significantly in 2022, before settling a bit in 2023. π
Guatemala's Imports Over the Years
Exports
π Exports of Guatemala π
Guatemala's exports are on the rise! In 2023, the estimated export value reached an impressive $17.308 billion! Let's see how this compares with previous years:
- 2022: $18.141 billion
- 2021: $15.246 billion
It looks like Guatemala has been working hard to increase its exports, especially from 2021 to 2022! π
The growth in exports shows how much Guatemala is contributing to the global market. Keep an eye on these numbers as they could skyrocket even more in the future! π
Exports in 2023
17,308
Exports in 2022
18,141
Exports in 2021
15,246
Guatemala Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
π Did you know that Guatemala's population is projected to grow by 1.49% in 2024? That's like adding more and more people to the party! π This growth shows how vibrant and dynamic Guatemala is, contributing to its rich culture and society.
Projected Population Growth Rate for 2024
1.49%